Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Charles L. Gilliland

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

National Memorial Cemetery
of the PacificWall
of the Missing

Born:May 24, 1933 at Mountain Home, AR

Entered
Service in the US Army from Yellville, AR

Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Korean War For heroism April 25,
1951 at Tongmang-ni, Korea

Died:April
25, 1951 at the age of 17

A numerically
superior hostile force launched a coordinated assault against
Corporal Gilliland's company perimeter, the brunt of which was
directed up a defile covered by his automatic rifle. His
assistant was killed by enemy fire but Corporal Gilliland,
facing the full force of the assault, poured a steady fire into
the foe which stemmed the onslaught. When two enemy soldiers
escaped his raking fire and infiltrated the sector, he leaped
from his foxhole, overtook and killed them both with his pistol.
Sustaining a serious head wound in this daring exploit, he
refused medical attention and returned to his emplacement to
continue his defense of the vital defile. His unit was ordered
back to new defensive positions but Corporal Gilliland
volunteered to remain to cover the withdrawal and hold the enemy
at bay. His heroic actions and indomitable devotion to duty
prevented the enemy from completely overrunning his company
positions.